Wonka actor Jim Carter praises 'awe-inspiring' UK set

Jim Carter, who played Mr Carson in Downton Abbey, said "Leavesden is a fantastic place to work"

Actor Jim Carter has described the sets used in the new Wonka film as "awe-inspiring".

The movie was mostly filmed at Warner Bros Leavesden in Watford.

Mr Carter, who also starred in the Downton Abbey TV series, said: "I have never seen an outdoor set the size of this, it was stupendous."

The actor said the production team had built "a whole city square" at the studio where the Harry Potter and Batman movies were also shot.

"Not only stupendous in size but stupendous in the fact the camera could've come into any corner of these parades and arcades of shop, and focus in on any detail," he added.

Jim Carter (left) plays Abacus Crunch in Wonka, a new Warner Bros filmed directed by Paul King

Wonka, which released on Friday, is directed by Paul King, best know for directing the first two Paddington films and the lead role is played by Timothée Chalamet.

The musical film functions as a prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book, showing how Wonka becomes the famous chocolatier.

Mr Carter, who plays Abacus Crunch in the new film, said the scale of the production at Leavesden felt like "old time movie making."

"There were all these American cars and taxis which are used in the Fast & Furious films, which I never knew were made in Leavesden, so it feels like proper film making."

The performer, 75, said acting on the sets encouraged him "to be on top of your game to justify all the hard work that's gone into it".

Jim Carter attended the worldwide premiere for Wonka in London with his wife Imelda Staunton

Wonka began shooting in the UK in September 2021, taking place at locations including Lyme Regis, Bath, Oxford and the Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley, south-east London.

Film crews and actors were also spotted a short drive from the Hertfordshire studio in the city of St Albans.

Scenes recorded in the city featuring Chalamet were used in the film's first trailer and St Albans District Council was paid £41,000 for use of Verulamium Park.

£25,000 of that figure was then ring-fenced specifically for park improvements.

The city square built at Leavesden features heavily in the new film

A house on Abbey Mill Lane, just down the road from St Albans Cathedral, will appear in Wonka as the home of Mr Crunch.

Yorkshire-born actor Mr Carter added: "You see me leaving home full of optimism, going through various journeys with Willy Wonka, then coming back there so thank you St Albans."

He previously filmed in the city for the 2018 film Swimming with Me, co-starring Rob Brydon.

"We had the coldest day of our lives doing synchronised swimming in St Albans lido so I don't thank St Albans for that one," he joked.